Researchers hailing from Moscow and Chernogolovka have engineered a pair of compounds capable of eliminating cancer cells when illuminated by light, achieving this without notable adverse reactions. This breakthrough was recently documented in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (EJMECH).
These novel photosensitizer molecules possess inherent stability and exhibit solubility in water. They demonstrate efficient cellular uptake, and upon light exposure, they generate reactive oxygen species that subsequently destroy cancerous tissue. Critically, in the absence of light, the substances do not induce cell death, thereby conferring a safety advantage over one of the currently utilized therapeutic agents.
“We have successfully synthesized agents that absorb light within the spectral range where living tissues display maximum transparency,” commented Tatyana Dubinina, the principal research fellow at the Scientific Research Laboratory of Bioelement-Organic Chemistry within the Chemistry Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University.
The expert further elaborated that these compounds only initiate the production of reactive oxygen species when irradiated, causing no harm to cells in darkness. The molecular structures presented offer a promising foundation for developing subsequent drugs intended for the photodynamic therapy of intricate tumors. Future plans involve advancing to preclinical trials using rodent models.
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